by Helen Stuart

Created on: August 01, 2010   Last Updated: September 19, 2010

Once a person with bipolar disorder is relatively stabilized on the best medications for him or her, there are many things they can do to help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder that do not involve just pharmaceutical pills alone. 

 Find the right therapist.  If you don't leave therapy feeling either a little relieved about your stressors, or a little better armed to deal with the week ahead, you may not have a good match with your therapist.  Some therapists may keep delving into the past when you may need to deal with how to get through the here and now as well.  This is called Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy (or CBT) and it is very effective in working with people with bipolar disorder.  When you go to your therapist, take a list of things that triggered your symptoms, what your symptoms were, (depression or hypomania) and what happened in response.  Also take a list of things that are coming up in the week ahead that you are worried about and ask how you might use your mind to relax yourself and not worry so much about them.

Use your medications as prescribed and report any problems to your doctor.  Many patients have difficulty sleeping and take an extra antipsychotic.  This is not only dangerous, but even if it is within your doctor's guidelines and you find yourself sleeping too much during the day, insist on a medication review.  It is better to be prescribed something to sleep than taking the ultimate maximum of your anti-psychotic and becoming overly tired and understimulated.  Let the doctor make the call, but if you are in bed most of the day, this will present a major problem in overcoming obstacles in your life and setting and meeting goals.

Exercise.  Your brain is always getting a workout (unless you are overmedicated) make sure your body does too.  Bi polar medications may make you feel sluggish, but the answer lies in fighting back with activity.  It will also greatly enhance your mood.  If you're out of shape, you can start with thirty minutes a day of aerobic activity, and break it up into any size segments you can handle.  Even six five minute workouts of marching in place or riding a stationery bike, or dancing.  You'll be surprised how fast you start getting strong and craving the oxygen to your brain and muscles. 

Ask your doctor about supplements, particularly fish oil.  Fish oil and the omega fatty acids in it have long been studied as helpful in all sorts of therapy involving nerves and the mind, for those with and without mental illness.  Eating lots of oily fish, even tuna, canned salmon and mackerel has proven to lower heart rates, blood pressure, and the rate at which people become upset.

Exercise mentally.  Write, keep a journal, paint, even do puzzles.  Eventually you may decide on a project you'd like to complete, whether it's building a cabinet or knitting a sweater, or learning to toll paint.  Having a hobby is far more than just "having a hobby."  It's a healthy validation of your expression and creativity to remind you that you are more than your disorder.

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